Tomatin 12 Year Bourbon & Sherry Casks

Spicy at first, but also a lot of sweet fruit tastes associated with it.

A walk in the forest. Fresh moss and pine cones scent by the sea. On the palate. We discover an explosion sweetness due to the sherry oak. Vanilla is prédominent here! Short finale with no extra sensations.

Neck Pour Nose: Sweet fruit and raisins, cut grass, light mustiness/earthiness, ethanol, graham cracker, anise Taste: Sweetness on the arrival with a medium body. Barley and a bit of fig play out early on. The middle is composed of a hint of pepper spice and anise. The fig and anise draw out on a moderately long finish along with some light smoke. There is a bit of funkiness between the black pepper and fig at the end of the finish that is not undesirable to me but is odd nonetheless. This is a little hot, but I'll let it settle down in the bottle before making this judgment. Comment: This almost feels like a crossover between a nice reposado tequila and Glenmorangie. Very similar to what I think Highland Park 12 would taste like without the peat influence. Taste with 2 ml of water and 12 more minutes: Honied sweetness on the arrival opened up far more while also opening up the funky earthiness in the middle. The anise and fig still linger with a hint of smoke. Everything smoothed out a bit while making the barley more pronounced. The pepper has started to disappear in place of more prominent smoke and grain notes. Great value for a 12-year-old highland, but it doesn't beat bottles that are $50+.

So smooth. Almost too smooth. Could do with more complexity but great value. Not a strong scotch flavor. Has a nice sweetness. Would get again.